40 Days of Faith
Every year during the Season of Lent (countdown to Easter) our church comes together to try some collective "faith experiments" which involve prayer, fasting and study of scripture. These are often very exciting times of seeing God work in unexpected ways! We usually find our faith stretched and see many amazing answers to prayer in our individual lives, the lives of our friends and for our church as a whole.
How does it all work? Please download and read the 40 Days of Faith "User's Manual
Daily Bible Guide - Week 1 (pdf version)Daily Bible Guide - Week 2 (pdf version)
Daily Bible Guide - Week 3 (pdf version)
Daily Bible Guide - Week 4 (pdf version)
Daily Bible Guide - Week 5 (pdf version)
Daily Bible Guide - Week 6 (pdf version)
Here's what people reported from last year's "40 Days of Faith:"
An Educating Moment
"I decided to pray for my best friend during the 40 Days Of Faith. We have been friends for 15 years and she has come to church with me a handful of times but has never really been interested in pursuing God. Two weeks ago she had been feeling very depressed over a series of rejections for business school. She asked if she could come to church with me on Sunday. While the prayer team was telling people about the opportunity to get prayer, I found a thought popping into my head about asking my friend if she wanted to get prayer. After dismissing this thought three times, I finally asked her if she wanted to get prayer. She did, and I accompanied her. We were both trembling and crying during the prayer. She was amazed that the prayer spoke exactly to what she was feeling inside. The following week she said she felt increased strength. That Friday, she found out she got into the school of her choice! She attributes it to the prayer at The River!"
Pregnant Pause Passes
" After two and a half years of trying to get pregnant and stay pregnant (I’ve had 4 early miscarriages), I received a prayer in early January 2010 and I am now 13 weeks into a healthy pregnancy! Thank you!"
Let's Get Specific
"One great thing has happened during 40 Days of Faith. I had one of my prayers answered right away, but I felt challenged to make it more specific. I did so, and God has already addressed the move specific version, too! Also, I’ve been praying for my boyfriend’s life. During these 40 days, he’s been flooded with more new student inquiries for his teaching business, and he has realized he can pay off a huge financial debt that has been weighing on him for years."
Selling Out
"I prayed for my struggling retail business. Since then...
1) A new lease with a substantially reduced rent
2) My landlord has given me substantial weekly business
3) My business overall has grown so much now I am short-staffed"
Dance (Floored)
"God gave me the artistic breakthrough I have been praying for! When 40 Days of Faith began I had just started rehearsing for a show. The choreography was challenging and I didn’t have much time to learn and rehearse the material. I prayed that the Lord would increase my ability to retain and understand the dances I would have to learn. I also prayed that I would experience an artistic breakthrough as I performed my solos. He answered every one of those prayers! I had never performed this way before. God took away my fears and I felt free to dance like I’ve never danced before. I didn’t really feel a major difference, but when I watched the video footage I was able to see with my own eyes how He answered my prayer."
